Modern Science ~ Look Where You're Walking

Summery

The video will focus on a hedgehog rolling around the city, dodging human feet as he gathers supplies for hibernation. Throughout his journey the hedgehog will speak with various humans (including band members), as he collects the apples and biscuits he’ll need to survive the winter.

Approach

The piece will feature live action footage with puppeteering.

Script/Shot Summery

We open with a point of view shot of a balled-up hedgehog rolling down a city side walk. Pedestrians hop out of it’s path, some narrowly miss stepping on him. The quill-covered ball rolls into a Asian fruit market to the foot of the cashier’s counter. An mid-40’s looking grocery lady looks down at the ball as the hedgehog stands up and reveals himself. The Hedgehog is a cute naturalistic puppet about 2 feet tall.

[dialog appears overlaid in subtitles]

GROCERY LADY

Here for your apples I suppose?

HEDGEHOG

Yeah. If you don’t mind Diane. I will need them to live through the winter.

[Looking tense, the grocery lady passes a bag of small apples down to the Hedgehog. The Hedgehog tosses several gold rings at the clerk’s feet.]

HEDGEHOG

These should cover the cost.

GROCERY LADY

Maybe for the apples. But what about my pain and suffering these last months??

HEDGEHOG

I warned you not to fall in love.

[The Hedgehog turns and rolls out of the store, leaving the Asian woman sobbing.]

The Hedgehog rolls down an alleyway to foot of a homeless man playing a salvaged electronic keyboard. Surrounding the homeless man is a make-shift shelter, constructed from found objects and a big blue tarp. Nearby, there’s a miniature (hedgehog-sized) version of the same shelter.

[dialog appears overlaid in subtitles]

HEDGEHOG

Evening Maxim. Scored some produce. Everything alright?

MAXIM

I feel terrible. You gave me Hoof and Mouth disease, I think.

HEDGEHOG

Uff! Sorry to hear that mate! Couldn’t be helped.

MAXIM

No worries. Maybe they’ll let me stay at the hospital over the winter… Say you best look where your walkin’; the Bike-gypsies were callin’ on you earlier. And they seemed hungry!

HEDGEHOG

As usual! But no bother, I’ve just one errand before I den in.

[the Hedgehog rolls off]

By the way, your rent is due!

As the sun sets, the Hedgehog rolls through a park filled with curious dogs. The dogs swarm the Hedgehog, sniffing it as it rolls around the sandy park stealing loose dog biscuits. A lady dog owner steps into the scurrying Hedgehog’s path and collides with him. She curses, and rubs at several of the Hedgehog’s needles embedded in her ankle.

[dialog appears overlaid in subtitles]

HEDGEHOG (rolling away)

Look where your walkin’!!!

DOG OWNER

Oh! That Hedgehog is a menace!

[The Hedgehog continues to gather biscuits. Outside the dog park we see a two bicycles pull into frame. Each is cover with strings of coloured LED lights. Lettering on one of the bikes reads “Gypsy Justice”.]

HEDGEHOG

Ah ha! This winter’s haul will be the best ever.

As the Hedgehog exits the dog park he runs full-speed into the bike wheel of one of the gypsies. Gold rings and dog biscuits fly everywhere. A dirty tennis shoe comes into frame and nudges the Hedgehog conscious. We see a hero shot of Kane and Mike from Modern Science dressed in filthy, funky coloured clothes. They slouch confidently, looking down from their LED-covered bikes, frowning at the Hedgehog. Kane picks the drowsy Hedgehog up by the scruff of the neck.

[dialog appears overlaid in subtitles]

KANE

At long last, Master Hedgehog, you’re mine.

MIKE (laughing)

What terrific pie our mother will make of you!

[Kane drops the Hedgehog into a large cage mounted on the back of his bike and begins to ride off. We close with a zoom in on the Hedgehog as the bikes speed away, glowing in the night.]

HEDGEHOG

Fools. Your mother is no match for my charms.

Cut to black